Historic Kensington house damaged in fire could be torn down

Council favors preservation, conservation of current structure

On rainy days, Kensington's Baltimore Street residents still smell the charred remains of a house fire that claimed their beloved neighbors Patricia and Osker Reynolds in May 2007.

"It's still just really hard for us to deal with it, which … is one of the hardships of looking at it every single day and reliving the night of the fire," said Jill McCrory, a neighbor that used to do the Reynolds' grocery shopping for them. "We knew them really well and we loved them and they loved their house."

McCrory and other neighbors on Baltimore Street are opposing the demolition of the house, which has been proposed by David Reynolds, the son of the late couple. A public hearing originally scheduled for tonight before the Historic Preservation Commission has been postponed indefinitely at Reynolds' request while he pulls together more information in support of his application, said HPC supervisor Scott Whipple.

Reynolds, of Monrovia, said it will cost about $900,000 to $1 million to demolish and rebuild the fire-gutted house. He said renovating the structure is also "about that range," but he fears complications from mold and other problems could drive the figure up unexpectedly.

"There's so much structural damage that [demolition and reconstruction] are about my only options, actually," Reynolds said. "Financially it's more than the estate's even worth, you know?"

Reynolds said he hasn't tried to sell the house, but is open to the idea. "I have yet to hear any offers from anybody," he said.

But neighbors say the house, which is in Kensington's Historic District and thus must go through the Historic Preservation Commission to get approval to be demolished, is too valuable historically to be torn down. Helen Wilkes, the president of the Kensington Land Trust, said she thinks a buyer could be found.

"We believe there hasn't really been a good faith attempt at salvaging what can be salvaged of that house," Wilkes said. "It is an important historic resource so anyone who wants to tear it down really needs to prove this house is not viable. I've had long conversations with a couple builders who think this property is viable."

The home, located at 3914 Baltimore Street, was built around 1900 in the transitional Queen Anne style, and was one of the first houses in that neighborhood. It is built on three lots, a customary technique for homes built in Kensington around the turn of the century. At the town council meeting Monday, several residents expressed concern that a tear-down could result in a new house on each of the lots.

The council took up the issue to craft an official town position on the potential demolition.

"I put this on the agenda because although the town does not vote on these things, it's really up to the [HPC], I think it's important the town take a stand on it or not take a stand on it. They're going to wonder what we're thinking," said Mayor Peter Fosselman.

The council decided on a list of "gently worded" preferences, which favored restoration or preservation of the current structure if possible. If not, the council indicated it would endorse a single home being built on the three lots, but would oppose three new homes.

"The best I think we can possibly do is not allow three houses to be built," said Councilman Sean McMullen.

Reynolds said he doesn't know what his plans are if he is successful in petitioning the demolition of the building.

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it," Reynolds said. "If we had had enough insurance on the place this wouldn't be an issue to begin with."